There are several individual things we’ll be paying attention for certain Dallas Cowboys over the final two games.
The Dallas Cowboys have two more games to play before the merciful end of their 2024 season. While the team is eliminated from the playoffs, individual players still have milestones they can hit over these last two contests. If you’re struggling for reasons to still tune in, maybe these will help.
Rico Dowdle reaching 1,000 rushing yards
Dowdle only needs 97 more rushing yards to hit quadruple digits for the season. That felt like a given before last Sunday night, but Tampa Bay held Dowdle to just 23 yards on 13 carries.
After three straight games of 100-plus production before last week, it’s hard to imagine that Dowdle won’t get what he needs against the Eagles and Commanders. But if our rivals commit to stopping the run and making Cooper Rush beat them the way the Buccaneers did, Dowdle’s road to 1,000 yards may get a lot rougher.
TDs for CeeDee
Lamb will have to wait until next season to move up the franchise leaderboard in catches or receiving yards. But with just three more touchdown receptions, he’ll tie Billy Joe Dupree for eighth on the all-time list and be just seven scores away from Drew Pearson. It’s a different era, of course, so the stats don’t have the same value. But especially given the adversity he’s playing through right now, Lamb’s achievements are still great to see.
DaRon Bland’s return to the endzone
Bland has been working into form since returning from injury, as was on display last week in his coverage of Bucs WR Mike Evans. But one thing we haven’t enjoyed yet is another pick-six like he gave us so often in 2023. At least one interception in these last two games, and especially a house call, would be a welcome sight and remind the league of what a dangerous player Bland can be.
Rushing TDs for Ezekiel Elliott
If Zeke finds the endzone two more times as a runner, he’ll pass Tony Dorsett for second in all-time rushing TDs in Dallas. He’s currently at 71 and Dorsett finished his illustrious career with 72. Emmitt Smith fans need not worry; he’s well ahead of both of them with 153 career touchdowns.
Elliott’s place in franchise history has become more controversial in recent years with his decline in play, especially in this ill-advised reunion season. If he does pass Dorsett, the conversation should be fun.
More wins for Cooper Rush
Believe it or not, Rush’s 9-4 record as a starting QB in Dallas already has him 10th on the franchise’s all-time wins list. He’s currently three behind Drew Bledsoe, who went 12-10 as the Cowboys’ QB from 2005-2006. While he won’t go down among the greats in team history, or even be remembered much by future generations, Rush deserves plenty of respect for the work he’s put in during his run.
Brandon Aubrey’s continued greatness
With just three more 50-yard field goals, Aubrey will tie Dan Bailey for the most in Cowboys history (27). It’s astounding given that Bailey kicked here for most of six seasons and Aubrey’s only finishing his second. And after watching Aubrey go 3-for-3 on 50-plus kicks against Tampa, it’s very possible he matches or even passes Bailey in the next two games.
